You are here: Liaison: September 2015

Liaison: the latest news from CCOHS

Infographic: Indoor Air Quality

Manage the quality of air workers breathe

Many of us spend our working hours indoors. The quality of the air we breathe can significantly affect our comfort, productivity, and health.

Poor indoor air quality can create an unpleasant or uncomfortable work environment, which in turn can affect morale, productivity, and employee well-being. In more serious situations, employees' health can be at stake. It is important to address all IAQ concerns seriously and without delay. Even situations which at first appear to be trivial can lead to more severe problems if left unchecked.

Our latest infographic describes the symptoms of IAQ, common causes, and what workplaces can do when it comes to both investigating IAQ complaints and proactively improving the air we breathe at work.

Top WHMIS 2015 Training Questions from Employers

What you need to know about the new WHMIS

Canada's Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) changed on February 11, 2015 to align with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). This new WHMIS is called "WHMIS 2015" and the original version is now referred to as "WHMIS 1988".

The main elements of WHMIS - product hazard classification, labels, data sheets and worker education and training - are all still required with WHMIS 2015. What has changed are the names (and criteria) for the hazard classes, how labels look and what is required on the data sheet.

When does WHMIS 2015 start for workplaces?

Part of the confusion around the start time for WHMIS 2015 has to do with the way occupational health and safety (OHS) laws work in Canada.

Health Canada is responsible for the WHMIS 2015 laws that spell out the supplier requirements for classification, labels and data sheets for hazardous products in the workplace. These laws came into force in February 2015 and include a multi-year transition period.

WHMIS laws pertaining to workplaces - including employer responsibilities and WHMIS education and training for workers - fall under federal/provincial/territorial (F/P/T) OHS legislation. This WHMIS legislation also needs to be updated for WHMIS 2015.

Some jurisdictions have already passed their laws while most others are in transition. The goal is to have all of the OHS legislation updated by 2016. The national WHMIS web portal has jurisdictional information available.

Even if the WHMIS 2015 legislation in your jurisdiction has not been enacted, employers CAN receive WHMIS 2015 products into the workplace. So, in effect, WHMIS 2015 has already started in Canadian workplaces.

Which WHMIS system should I train on now?

There is a misunderstanding that we have been hearing about from the F/P/T regulators - some workplaces think they have until 2018 to start training. Workers actually need to be educated and trained now before they use a hazardous product with a WHMIS 2015 label and SDS. Workers need to understand what the new pictograms mean and where to find information they need in the new 16-section SDS.

As long as there are products with WHMIS 1988 labels and MSDSs in your workplace, workers will also need to understand WHMIS 1988. This means that any new workers will need training on both systems.

Once you no longer have products with WHMIS 1988 labels and MSDSs in the workplace, you will no longer need to train on WHMIS 1988.

What are the requirements for WHMIS education and training?

WHMIS education refers to general information such as:

how WHMIS works

the hazard classes

what information is found on both the supplier label and workplace label, and what that information means

what information is found on the SDS and what that information means

WHMIS training refers to the site- and job-specific information to workers that will cover:

After completing WHMIS education and training, your workers should understand:

the hazards of the product(s) they work with

how to protect themselves from those hazards

what to do in case of an emergency

where to find more information about hazardous products

There is no prescribed expiry of WHMIS training unless there are changes to your WHMIS program. There are requirements for employers to review their WHMIS program annually or when hazards change.

It is the employer's responsibility to provide appropriate education and training for their workers. The legislation does not prescribe a specific course to be taken for WHMIS. There have been instances of "aggressive WHMIS marketing". Warnings about this issue are posted on F/P/T websites and the national WHMIS portal.

Workplaces can use CCOHS resources to assist with WHMIS education. Keep in mind that employers are still required to do workplace-specific training that reviews the hazardous products in the workplace and safe work procedures. Employers can do this training in-house or hire a consultant - it is always your choice.

There is no prescribed expiry of WHMIS training unless there are changes to your WHMIS program. There are requirements for employers to review their WHMIS program annually or when hazards change.

It is the employer's responsibility to provide appropriate education and training for their workers. The legislation does not prescribe a specific course to be taken for WHMIS. There have been instances of "aggressive WHMIS marketing". Warnings about this issue are posted on F/P/T websites and the national WHMIS portal.

Workplaces can use CCOHS resources to assist with WHMIS education. Keep in mind that employers are still required to do workplace-specific training that reviews the hazardous products in the workplace and safe work procedures. Employers can do this training in-house or hire a consultant - it is always your choice.

What else do I need to do for WHMIS 2015?

During the transition from WHMIS 1988 to WHMIS 2015, you may receive hazardous products that comply with the requirements of WHMIS 1988 OR WHMIS 2015. Suppliers have the option of converting their products to WHMIS 2015 at the product level (i.e. one product at a time). Suppliers have until May 31, 2017 to convert to WHMIS 2015. Distributors have an additional year - until May 31, 2018.

Some tips for a smooth transition:

Update your inventory of hazardous products and safely dispose of those you no longer need.

Keep track of which products comply with WHMIS 1988 and which products have converted to WHMIS 2015.

Review the new WHMIS 2015 SDSs to see if any different hazard and/or control information is listed. If there are changes, you will need to:

educate and train your employees on the new hazards, and

evaluate your existing hazard control and emergency response procedures to determine if any changes are required.

Remember: It is important that you educate and train your workers on WHMIS 2015 before they use hazardous products that have a WHMIS 2015 compliant label and SDS.

Mental or Physical, Illness is Illness

Resources to help you build a mentally healthy workplace

Imagine working in a highly productive environment in which you feel safe, respected and valued; the work is challenging; the demands of the job are reasonable; you have work-life balance; and your employer supports your involvement in your work and interpersonal growth and development. This is what is known as a mentally healthy workplace.

Poor mental health not only hurts the individual, it also impacts an organization's bottom line and ability to thrive. Having the support of their workplace can make a world of difference for workers with mental health issues.

Increase your understanding and recognition of mental health issues at work, develop effective approaches to promoting mental health at work, and find resources and tools to help get you there.

Podcasts

Listen and Learn

In Canada, 1,000 compensation claims are reported for contact dermatitis each year. According to some US statistics, skin disorders comprise more than 35 percent of all occupationally related diseases. In this episode, we offer tips on preventing occupational contact dermatitis.

Client Corner

Plans are well underway for the next pan-Canadian CCOHS Forum to be held February 29 - March 1, 2016 in Vancouver, BC.

The Forum brings together representatives from Canadian, provincial and territorial governments, employers and labour organizations as well as subject experts to share their knowledge, perspectives and collective experience around important issues that affect worker health, safety and well-being.

This will be CCOHS' fifth national forum. Watch for more details coming soon.